495:"other stuff" related to dogs, horses, cats, or whatever – not animal sports, pet or livestock equipment types, coat color patterns, training types, working roles, or anything else – no matter how often dog, horse, or cat magazines do it. If you're capitalizing for emphasis, to stress the importance or specialness of something, you are a making a mistake.
346:. No AEIS material from an editor's own mind, or from a primary or tertiary source, can be used in a Knowledge (XXG) article. These words for source types have very specific meanings on Knowledge (XXG), and do not match the definition used in every other field (they cannot, since different fields define them very differently). This is covered at
237:" Such claims can only pertain to individual animals. There is no such thing a breed of anything that is loving, family-friendly, snuggly, or prone to separation anxiety as a breed trait. Neither pets nor livestock have a consistent personality across an entire breed. About the best we can do with this "information" is something like "
24:
80:
88:
Knowledge (XXG) articles about breeds and other varieties of domesticated animal often show a lack of familiarity with basic
Knowledge (XXG) policies and guidelines. They are often written off-the-cuff by fanciers or breeders new to Knowledge (XXG), then not cleaned up by anyone for years. This is a
95:
Below is a crash course in the basics of writing a breed-related article on
Knowledge (XXG), without getting into administrative trouble or having the article deleted. All of Knowledge (XXG)'s rules apply to breed articles, just like everything else. However, many people who want to write about them
918:
We cover all this stuff by neutrally observing what is written in the breed standards and related documentation; and in less primary sources like breed encyclopedias (tertiary sources); and especially in any secondary sources like books, academic journals, mainstream newspapers, and other materials
216:
because their fact-checking standards are low and their propensity for credulity and exaggeration is high. This is especially the case in the pet-breeding sphere; most breed profile articles are written by breeders of the breed in question, with a vested interest in promoting that breed and
612:
For horses, which tend to be standardized only by breed-specific or breed-group-specific registries rather than by all-breeds organizations, a common-name analysis is especially important. For other species, the most common name is almost always the name used by the largest all-breeds
234:
A very loving breed, they enjoy being in the middle of an active family. Their large size and silly personalities make them a perfect companion. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time as they are very social, so be prepared to spend quality time
167:
This precludes opinional statements about a breed being "friendly" or "outgoing" or "good with kids" or "intelligent", unless there are reliable sources (e.g. dog behavior studies) that prove that a particular breed statistically stands out from the crowd in such a
881:
In this case, there are few enough cat breeds – and this might also be true of geese and some other species – that covering experimental breeds isn't a drain on editorial productivity. This would not be true of dogs and horses, because there are thousands of
224:
reliable for scientific, medical, or historical claims about breeds (and frequently re-publish blatant misinformation in these regards – basically whatever breeder groups tell them). They are also not reliable for exaggeratory behavioral claims. Example:
430:. If there is real-world disagreement or controversy about a breed or breeder organization, that may be encyclopedia-worthy to cover (with sufficient sourcing, and not out-of-proportion to other material), but Knowledge (XXG) does not take sides.
949:
Thus, someone's insistence that this version of a particular breed or breed group is distinct, and that other one isn't legitimate in their view or the view of some particular organization they're familiar with, is likely to be irrelevant.
593:
Where a breed has multiple standardized names in different registries, use the most common one in
English materials as the article title and as the primary way to refer to the breed in running text. Alternative names are given in a breed
119:, and other varietals (often of tamed wild animals rather than true domesticates); and "fancy" varieties and laboratory strains of rodents, which are breeds in all but name. Some of it will also be applicable to writing about plant
300:, contain information on notable and reputable registries, and which ones are not. This feature may not be available for other-species breed infoboxes, in which case consider asking on the talk page of the relevant wikiproject
964:
In summary: If the sources treat them as essentially the same topic, and they cannot be cleanly separated, and we don't have enough material for multiple stand-alone articles, then they remain (or get) merged into one article.
729:
For a population that is not a breed (such as a type, a landrace, a feral population, a cross-breed, or a coat variant), proving independent notability is often impossible, and we have few such articles. Some examples that
480:
the names of any kind of grouping (type, breed group, feral population, landrace, species common name, etc.) of organism, including domesticated animals. An exception is made for the formal names of
905:
Have different standards for what a breed encompasses. (Is this variant a color variety within the breed? A defined sub-breed? A separate breed? Unrecognized at all? It varies by organization.)
1008:
171:
Any potentially controversial claim without a source or with an unreliable source can be removed by any editor. Someone may "tag" such a claim with a cleanup or dispute template, such as
1026:
1002:
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399:(and is not written like), including guidebooks, news, blogs and op-eds, advertising, attack pages, personal memoirs, webboards, and everything else that isn't an encyclopedia.
281:
but have strong fiduciary ties to breeders. Registries that are non-notable (or infamous) do not help establish a breed's notability, and are categorically unreliable sources.
1093:
194:), and leave it to the reader to investigate those sources and make up their own minds. We do not try to adjudicate between them and decide which one is right, or try to
446:
is large, with various subpages. No one is expected to absorb it all, or read it from top to bottom; it is primarily a reference work for settling disputes. But it is a
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explains what
Knowledge (XXG) specifically means by "notable" (it does not mean "important" or "been around a long time" or "newly announced in a press release"). The
209:
proper sourcing and attribution. Even copying from a legally public-domain text requires attribution. Knowledge (XXG) doesn't rip off or regurgitate others' writing.
1088:
433:
Any criticism of a breed must be found in reliable sources, like everything else. And see the example earlier in this page about excessive, promotional claims.
1098:
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on
Knowledge (XXG) is a waste of everyone's time; your debate skills and persuasion techniques are meaningless if reliable sources do not back your material.
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for discussing things like animal welfare, breeder and organization disputes, and other material that doesn't pertain to improving our encyclopedia articles.
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and article content is expected to comply with it. You're free to just dive right in and write without looking at these rules, but we prefer you at least
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946:) that don't work well as stand-alone articles. A combined one will form a single, better sourced, more comprehensive article on the overarching topic.
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breeds (new, experimental, rumored, mentioned in ancient manuscripts, or otherwise hard to prove). These are frequently deleted or at best merged by the
248:
to a limited and variable extent. This is rare, and must be proven with highly reliable sources. Some examples are the direction-indicating behavior of
1059:(gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and fancy rats and mice, which come in varieties, not breeds; lab rats and mice, which come in strains)
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Have not quite perfectly matching specifics in their breed standards for essentially the same breed – things like head size, withers height, etc.
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It is not permissible – in
Knowledge (XXG)'s articles or on its talk pages – to treat any particular one of these publications or publishers as
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is almost presumptively notable, because it will appear in multiple breed standards, breed encyclopedias, news articles, and other sources.
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It contains the advice or opinions of one or more
Knowledge (XXG) contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
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961:(selling names); these are not independently notable, and instead redirect to the cultivar's article and should be mentioned there.
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Not all breed registries and federations are equivalent. Some are notable national and international organizations, others are
1005:(cattle, water buffalo, yaks, and gayals; sheep and goats; pigs; rabbits; camels, llamas, and alpacas; paca; farmed fish; etc.)
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Offer full to provisional to absolutely zero recognition for a new breed or sub-breed or color variety derived from an old one.
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Breeds that are essentially the same (just under a different name) as another breed about which we already have an article
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are fairly new to
Knowledge (XXG) and do not understand yet what those policies and guidelines are and how they may apply.
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with impressive-sounding names but terrible reputations, and others are simply non-notable little groups, which are often
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circumscribing its definition and nomenclature to match that of whatever organization they're a recognized breeder within.
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material does not count – no matter how correct it may be. Same certainly goes for personal knowledge or opinion.
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Sometimes even refuse to recognize a breed recognized by other major registries, even if it isn't a recent breed.
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Do not use "the " in reference to things that are not standardized breeds; use the plural. Standardized breeds: "
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Breeds that have only provisional or experimental recognition, or none at all, in any major breed registry.
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The following (adapted from a real organization's breed description) is not encyclopedic information, but
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If the best name to use for a breed article is already used for some other topic, the name needs to be
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844:(i.e., to warrant its own stand-alone article). Similar lists do not yet exist for horses, dogs, etc.
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If two or more apparently reliable sources disagree, we note that they disagree (within the bounds of
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Van cats are a distinctive landrace of domestic cat, found in the Lake Van region of eastern Turkey.
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Do not engage in what
Knowledge (XXG) calls "original research", or treat Knowledge (XXG) as a forum
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by breeders, and nothing like it belongs in any article on
Knowledge (XXG), no matter who said it: "
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If there's something problematic, under the criteria, with the most common name (perhaps is it not
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against other editors when they make your material conform to the style guidelines (or any other
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Poodles are a group of formal dog breeds, the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle.
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Magazines can sometimes be used as references for non-controversial claims, but are considered
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Disagreement between two registries is not a rationale to fork a new article, or to take sides
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1023:(for canaries; also parrots and other tamed, not domesticated, species commonly kept as pets)
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that also permits (even shorter) summaries of such new or experimental breeds. By contrast,
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Breed registries are reliable sources for the content of their own breed standards. They are
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It's entirely common and everyday for two or more breeder or fancier organizations to:
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of any kind unless they have broad recognition as a new breed in their own right (e.g.
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669:. Titles in the latter pattern are used for names of individual notable animals (e.g.
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because another registry uses it for another breed), then try the second most common.
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between editors, including on talk pages and in edit summaries. (And please do use
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You cannot just copy-paste from sources, even if you think they won't mind. Limited
47:. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.
1017:(for koi and other ornamental fish; also includes tamed wild fish in the pet trade)
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You may also find advice (pre-written or through discussion) at the breeds-related
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Have differing rules on what is and is not a permissible outcross (if anything is).
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327:– the advancement of your own ideas or investigation as if they're reliable facts.
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provides a checklist of criteria for a proper title of a Knowledge (XXG) article.
411:. Avoid emotive language and personal opinion, including advocacy and criticism.
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Obscure alleged breeds reported by national authorities to breed databases like
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can be found (many of these are either not real breeds – usually non-notable
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992:(draft guideline; while it's not "official" yet, the advice in it is solid)
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not published by any of the kennel clubs or breed associations themselves.
239:'s overview of this large breed describes them as affectionate and social.
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with independent, reliable sources sufficient to establish that it isn't
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Just include what the reliable sources say, without any "therefore, ..."
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However, horse breeding lacks international all-breeds organizations.
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798:– or are a local name for a breed we already have an article about).
750:– because a lot of reliable material has been written about them.
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335:(or manipulative wording to lead the reader to such a conclusion).
473:– of any kind, including fancier/breeder magazine or blog style.
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There is no magical exception for anyone's favorite topic. Our
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and capitalized exactly as they appear in the breed standards.
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1041:(dogs, wolf– and coyote–dog hybrids, and domesticated foxes)
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in-depth coverage in multiple, independent, reliable sources
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Knowledge (XXG)'s Manual of Style and related rules do apply
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and is written like one. We have an important policy about
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There is presently no particular project for ferrets; try
1047:(horses, ponies, donkeys, mules; also covers tamed zebras)
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840:, but which does not yet have sufficient coverage to be
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An alleged breed or other population must be provably
624:. Knowledge (XXG) only does this in particular ways.
187:, or they may simply delete the questionable material.
886:" trying to establish and promote alleged new breeds.
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cover it, in any article. Whether to do so is up to
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summary of key points for how to write them properly.
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campaign to push your version of what is "correct".
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Have different names for essentially the same breed.
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Alleged breeds or populations only rumored to exist.
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Avoid skewed coverage; Knowledge (XXG) is neither a
264:, and the going-limp-when-picked-up reaction of the
859:specifically excludes non-notable breeds, as does
340:analysis, evaluation, interpretation, or synthesis
143:All claims must be verifiable in reliable sources
123:, the horticultural equivalent of animal breeds.
1009:WP:WikiProject Agriculture/Beekeeping task force
147:Everything in a Knowledge (XXG) article must be
1027:WP:WikiProject Birds/Domestic pigeon task force
1003:WP:WikiProject Agriculture/Livestock task force
284:The documentation of some templates, including
1094:Knowledge (XXG) essays about original research
103:in mind, much of this advice also pertains to
1071:WP:WikiProject Mammals/Pocket pets work group
957:(plant breeds) may have numerous trademarked
579:as the default title choice, to test against
561:Our title policy and related rules also apply
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522:The American Yorkshire is a breed of pig ...
515:is not a blog, journal, editorial, or column
407:Writing for Knowledge (XXG) must express a
824:For nascent breeds, treatment may differ:
151:, and sources for our material have to be
1089:Knowledge (XXG) essays about verification
717:Presumptive notability does not apply to
703:, or the article will likely be deleted.
586:For breeds, this will almost always be a
387:Write in an encyclopedic style and manner
465:Some key points for the breeds context:
454:. Importantly, it is not permissible to
41:Knowledge (XXG)'s policies or guidelines
1099:Knowledge (XXG) essays about neutrality
460:Knowledge (XXG):policies and guidelines
350:(primary, secondary, tertiary sources).
769:operated by a small group of breeders.
498:Do not directly address the reader in
353:This is also not a place where anyone
155:ones. Blogs, forums, wikis and other
1011:(bees come in subspecies, not breeds)
665:, though the latter two may exist as
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256:dog breeds, the pulling instinct of
135:to provide reference citations, see
765:Breeds that only exist as a recent
471:not news or written like journalism
380:clear and meaningful edit summaries
321:not a publisher of original thought
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938:It's standard practice here to
830:List of experimental cat breeds
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444:Knowledge (XXG):Manual of Style
415:Encyclopedic writing uses in a
1015:WP:WikiProject Aquarium Fishes
942:closely related short topics (
513:("I", "our"). Knowledge (XXG)
333:conclusions being drawn by you
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1035:(also covers tamed wild cats)
870:doesn't mean Knowledge (XXG)
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699:(GNG) is that there must be
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985:WP:Writing better articles
538:Mustangs are free-roaming
417:formal, dispassionate tone
355:gets to control an article
279:not independent publishers
244:Some behavioral traits do
198:a compromise between them.
99:While written mainly with
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1029:(also covers tamed doves)
928:righting the great wrongs
656:Amsterdam Island (cattle)
502:("you"). Knowledge (XXG)
980:WP:Core content policies
754:Examples of articles to
723:WP:Articles for deletion
428:battleground for dispute
342:(AEIS) must come from a
338:Any claim that involves
86:This page in a nutshell:
868:something simply exists
688:to have an article here
644:Amsterdam Island cattle
581:the five title criteria
484:, which are treated as
1064:WP:WikiProject Mammals
1057:WP:WikiProject Rodents
1051:WP:WikiProject Poultry
990:WP:Notability (breeds)
926:or go on some kind of
637:, plain English), not
630:natural disambiguation
572:Always start with the
500:second-person language
1069:There was formerly a
1045:WP:WikiProject Equine
934:Merge redundant stubs
863:, and several others.
838:indiscriminate trivia
511:first-person language
424:soapbox for promotion
409:neutral point of view
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1021:WP:WikiProject Birds
857:List of horse breeds
598:template and in the
376:Civility is required
1039:WP:WikiProject Dogs
1033:WP:WikiProject Cats
876:editorial consensus
790:but about which no
641:constructions: use
482:standardized breeds
478:does not capitalize
469:Knowledge (XXG) is
403:Maintain neutrality
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959:trade designations
861:List of dog breeds
849:List of cat breeds
776:WP:Content forking
708:standardized breed
588:standardized breed
504:is not a guidebook
393:is an encyclopedia
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304:"See also" section
884:backyard breeders
792:secondary sources
671:Queen Mab (horse)
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1083:Categories
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810:Bengal cat
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196:synthesize
192:due weight
149:verifiable
955:cultivars
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